WOMEN DAY'S
VIRTUAL GALLERY
Welcome to HELP Volunter Society (HVS)' virtual gallery!
This virtual gallery is held to commemorate and uphold women's achievement in history upon the International Women's Day 2022.
With that, we are proud to present 8 inspiring women who have made the Malaysian history.
Happy reading!✨😊
DR. SOO KIN LAN
First medical doctor in Malaysia that broke the prejudice of women in the medicine industry 👩🩺.She became the first Chinese Woman Doctor in the industry that was predominantly men.She had received early education and continued to pursue her education in the medical field after the end of World War I.In 1927, she established a private clinic and is the first to operate a clinic for women and children.When Malaysan Union was formed, she was advised as the advisory board and continues to spread awareness resting to health and medical treatments.For her years of hardwork and selfless service she was awarded with:
i. OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1947
ii. Meritorious Service Medal in 1948
iii. Member of the Order of Defender of the Realm in 1971
Tan Sri Dato Seri Siti Norma Binti Yaakob
First woman to be appointed as Chief Judge of Malaya 👩⚖️.She has achieved many ‘first’ in the 43 years of her appointments and lastly became the Chief Judge in 2005.She was also presented as the State Honour by the ruler of Negeri Sembilan in 1987.She has achieved awards from:
i. Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship in 1990
ii. Women Development Institute Fellowship in 1988
iii.Ministry of Women and Family Development 2001
iv. Association Graduates Malaysia in 2002
Sybil Kathigusa
Worked as a nurse👩⚕️ in World War II.She has aided and provided medicine and care to the resistance fighters during the Japanese Occupation period.After she was discovered and arrested by the Japanese army for helping the resistance fighters, she was imprisoned for 2 years.Even though she was imprisoned and tortured for 2 years, she refused to reveal any information of the resistance fighters.She was the only Malaya Women that had received the George Medal for her bravery and loyalty.Unfortunately, in 1948 she passed away due to the old wounds that the Japanese Army had caused.Sadly, her brave contributions were not written in the Malaysia History Book.
Kadijah Sidek
A female politician that fights for women's rights and girls’ education 👩🎓 in Malaysia.She was in the Women’s Rights Campaigner and a leader for the Leadership of Kaum Ibu UMNO.Even though she was deemed a ‘trouble maker’ and was imprisoned for years for going against the British Administrations for fighting for women’s and girls’ education and welfare.She continues to fights to bring in more women into the male-dominant political landscape.Finally, her hardwork and determination had paved the way for more female representation in politics in Malaysia.
Tan Hooi Ling
A 37-year-old Malaysian internet entrepreneur 👩🌐based in Singapore.She is also known as the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer (Coo) Of GRAB, which is Southeast Asia’s Leading super app.She is a Harvard Business School alumni that oversee critical pillars of GRAB’s operation including corporate strategy, technology (product, design, engineering, data science, and analytics), customer experience, and people operations.
Michelle Yeoh
A legendary actress 👸 born in Ipoh, Perak who catapulted to fame through her years in the Hong Kong entertainment scene.-> For instance, Yes Madam (1985), Police Story 3: Supercop (1992), and Holly Weapon (1993)
She is also one of the few Malaysians that has been casted in major roles in the Hollywood film industry.-> For instance, she stared in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon(2000), Memoirs of Geisha(2005), Last Christmas (2019), Crazy Rich Asians (2018), James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings (2021)
She was also nominated for the BAFTA award for Best Actress for her work in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.Not to mention she has also won the Miss Malaysia pageant of 1983 at the age of 20.She was also chosen by the people magazine as one of the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” in 1997.
Lim Phaik Gan (PG Lim)
Respected Lawyer and diplomat 👩💼who has left a strong impact on the development and growth of Malaysia.Earned her impressive Master of Law qualification from Cambridge University and returned to Malaya where she co-founded the Labour Party of Malaya in 1952.She fought for workers’ unions throughout her career and was also involved in controversial political cases including one where she was the defense attorney for a Communist guerilla leader.When the parliament was suspended after the May 1969 racial riots, she was selected to be part of the National Consultative Council where she helped in developing the New Economic Policy.She was also the first Malaysian woman to become an ambassador to the United Nations.
Major Patricia Yapp Syau Yin
One of the most well-known female fighter pilots 👧🛫 in Malaysia.Joined the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).Holds the record as the first woman in the world to become a qualified MiG-29 fighter pilot.Upon completing her flight training in 2002, she opted to be a fighter pilot and flew Aermacchi MB-339 aircraft from 2002-2006.She was also an operational and tactical lead pilot with the No. 17/19 Smokey Bandits Squadron in Kuantan that flies the MiG-29N Fulcrum air superiority jets.Since 2014 until now she is a qualified flight instructor who has served with RMAF for almost 22 years ✨